Structured We operate through AIDS Action Clubs and peer educators. Each peer educator is responsible for one zone and works with up to 7 clubs. There are currently 33 zones which are divided into three project areas: Monze village communities, Mazabuka village communities and Mazabuka commercial farming communities.

We designed our structure to form a training cascade in order to reach as many people as possible. Peer educators participate in Training of Trainers workshops, with skills being passed on to club leaders and club members in turn to benefit the wider community. The training cascade has proved to be a tool with which we can reach many people without spending large sums of money.

Sustainable We are committed to a grass roots-led approach. We will not be present indefinitely. Instead we aim to withdraw from rural areas once AIDS Action Clubs can sustain their activities financially and have the skills required to mobilise communities. Each zone was chosen on the basis of the presence of rural health centres, agricultural extension services and infrastructure - thus enabling clubs to act autonomously - and on the absence of other organisations carrying out similar activities to those of SAPEP - thus eliminating duplication.

Youth-Focused Young adults are considered to be the ‘window of hope’ and may be able to change elements of their sexual behaviour more easily than their elders, for whom sexual behaviour is more entrenched. With this rationale, we work with AIDS Action Clubs and their young members.

Participatory We use participatory techniques to ensure the community’s full contribution in assessing SAPEP’s efficacy. These include Participatory Rural Appraisals and Annual Participatory Reviews where each zone is represented by an external stakeholder. At zone-level, participatory impact monitoring techniques are used to engage community members.

Culturally Acceptable Given the significance of customs and traditions in perpetuating the spread of HIV and AIDS, SAPEP sees engagement of traditional leadership as essential. Workshops are held with chiefs and headmen in order to create a more user-friendly environment for HIV positive people, orphans, women and other vulnerable groups. A local traditional leader, Chief Hanjalika, sits on the SAPEP Board of Trustees and has passed bylaws that improve women’s status in society.